Western Suburbs Magpies Vs Blacktown Workers
Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Saturday, April 12
Kick-off: 3.30pm
Referee: Kasey Badger
Summary: The Western Suburbs Magpies will be aiming for their second win of the season when they host the Blacktown Workers at Campbelltown this weekend. The Magpies were unlucky in going down 12-10 to Guildford last weekend and will be confident of heading into this match with a better performance under their belts. Despite round one, where they leaked 30 points against Auburn, Western Suburbs defence has been a key feature of their game and with hard working second rowers like Nu Akeripa, Francis Laulu and hooker Dayne Craig in their side; the Workers will need to work hard to breach their line. Blacktown has had a similar start to their season with one win and two losses to their name, and will also be disappointed with their close loss to Mounties last weekend. In a high scoring affair (40-36) the Workers showed they have the potential to score points but will need to tighten up their defence to get the two points on offer this weekend. Look for Sakeo Dibeci, Akeripa Tia Kilifi and Joel Jasmin to be the danger men.
Prediction: It's a battle of attack versus defence and we're leaning towards Western Suburbs at home. Magpies by 4.
Mounties Vs Asquith Magpies
Aubrey Keech Reserve, Sunday, April 13
Kick-off: 3.00pm
Referee: Chris Treneman
Summary: Having only played two games to date in the Ron Massey Cup in 2014, Mounties remain undefeated with close victories over Blacktown and Windsor. Although they have had no problem scoring points this season, it would be defence which would be of concern for the Mounties Coaching staff after conceding 70 points in their two outings. One of the strongest rosters in the competition, look for the front row of Uiti Baker, Jason Antonelli and Kaine Matthews to lead the way this weekend. Asquith has also only played two games this season, but unlike their opponents this weekend, they have conceded two losses. Looking on the positive side of the coin, the Magpies have been in each game right up to their necks only to let the game slip away through lost opportunities. In a tough game this weekend, look for the experience of Aaron Groom, Petros Thanos and Luke Jay to lead the way.
Prediction: Mounties at home looks hard to tip against, but the Magpies will offer a strong challenge. Mounties by 10.
The Entrance Tigers Vs Guildford Owls
EDSACC Oval, Sunday, April 13
Kick-off: 3.00pm
Referee: Drew Oultram
Summary: The undefeated Tigers will head into this match fresh from a weeks rest after their match against Windsor last weekend was postponed due to bad weather. The Entrance has been highly impressive in their two outings this year and will have the competition looking over their shoulder at what’s coming. The double barreled last name combination of Alan Mulia Malau (AMM) Fylyx Saqa Saqa (FSS) and Perry Le Broque (PLB) in the back line looks promising and is set to cause the Owls defence some headaches. Guildford have also only played two games due to postponed matches and would be pleased with how they have performed in those outings. The Owls scored a hard fought 12-10 win over Western Suburbs last weekend and perhaps the Tigers lack of a tough game in the past fortnight could count against them. The back line battle will be worth the price of admission with Jason Gray, Leva Li and Suliasi Suli taking on AMM, FSS and PLB.
Prediction: The Tigers at EDSACC Oval is always a tough proposition and we think the home ground advantage will see them home. Tigers by 8.
Wentworthville Magpies Vs Kingsgrove Colts
Ringrose Park, Sunday, April 13
Kick-off: 3.00pm
Referee: Damien Briscoe
Broadcast: Radio Coverage courtesy of Triple H FM (Link available via www.triplehfm.com.au/hhh)
Summary: This match may have been deemed a David and Goliath battle last season, but with tremendous change of fortunes, this match will also double as the final of the pre-season OAMPS Cup. Kingsgrove are 1-1 in 2014 and although it’s very early in the season, the Colts look to have a new lease on their footballing life. A 30-22 win over Burwood last weekend will provide the Colts with plenty of confidence heading into this clash with the Premiers and with Chase Williams, Aidan Carney and Sam Matakaiono in their lineup, the Colts have a feeling of unpredictability in their side. Wentworthville kept their undefeated start to the year in check last weekend with a hard-fought 26-20 win over Asquith. Admittedly, it wasn't the Magpies best performance; but it's quite rare to see Wenty play two bad games in a row and this spells trouble for Kingsgrove. Nathan Armit, Daniel Howard and Walter Vaeau will look to get on top of the Colts forwards early.
Prediction: With the OAMPS Cup on the line, both teams have extra motivation to bring their 'A' Game to Ringrose Park. Kingsgrove will see this as a big test of their credentials and will cause one of the biggest upsets we've seen in quite some time should they get the victory. Magpies by 12.
Cabramatta Two Blues Vs Windsor Wolves
New Era Stadium, Sunday, April 13
Kick-off: 3.00pm
Referee: Scot Murray
Summary: After strong victories over Kingsgrove and Blacktown to begin the year, Cabramatta suffered their first defeat of the year to Auburn last weekend and will be looking to get themselves back in the winner’s circle against Windsor. The Two Blues have had no problems scoring points this season, but will be looking to improve on their defence that was down on their usual efforts last weekend. Windsor will be hoping to score their first win of the season against the Two Blues after suffering straight losses to Mounties and Western Suburbs. Their match against The Entrance was postponed last weekend and the Wolves will be hoping the extra training pays off with an improved performance this weekend. The battle between centres Hala Katoa and Adam Hanson against Kieran Croft and Solofa Silipa looks to be a feature of the contest.
Prediction: Cabramatta to re-enter the winners circle, but only just. Two Blues by 2.
Burwood North Ryde United Vs Auburn Warriors
TG Milner Field, Sunday, April 13
Kick-off: 3.00pm
Referee: Jeff Hartup
Summary: The Auburn Warriors brushed off their round two defeat to the Tigers with an impressive 43-30 defeat of Cabramatta last weekend. The Warriors look to be one of the competitions most dangerous teams early in the season, and with Heka Nanai, Matt Utai and Arthur Little working on the back of a dominant forward pack the Warriors have all the tools to be a major contender for this year’s title. Burwood are yet to record a victory this season and they will be hoping that a strong home crowd can help them to victory this weekend. United were defeated by Kingsgrove last weekend and will be needing a much improved effort to threaten the Warriors. The experience of Joe Uluibau and Joe Flint will be relied upon to lift the team’s fortunes and if they can make the most of their opportunities, they are more than capable of springing an upset.
Prediction: Auburn to continue their good form over an improved Burwood. Warriors by 10.
Make sure you are following @NSWRL on twitter and monitoring the #RMCup hashtag all season long for all the latest news and scores.
Click here to view this week’s team lists
Click here to view the Ron Massey Cup ladder
Click here to view all of the results from last weekend
